Short takes for Oct. 7

October 7, 2011

THUMBS DOWN: It's scary enough when food such as cantaloupe and lettuce are recalled, but now buses are seeing the same fate as well. The Associated Press reported this week that a major school bus manufacturer is recalling more than 1,800 buses to repair a faulty part. The parent company of High Point, N.C.-based Thomas Built Buses says a bolt included in the clamp assembly may break when it's subjected to stress. The feds says the recall involves three series of Thomas Built school buses manufactured from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 of last year. Thankfully the recall doesn't include any buses in Minnesota, and it's good that the ones in question are being taken off the road, but it opens up the question: Just how safe are the buses our children are riding?

Burning can wait

THUMBS DOWN: Some area residents haven't got the message that there is a burning ban in Lyon County, as well as surrounding counties. We urge our rural residents to hold off on burning anything - even if it's a small pile. Local fire departments have been called to grass/field fires every day for the better part of the last week and it's getting more dry by the day. It's one thing when a fire is a result of harvest work in a field, but many of these other fires can be prevented. So, in short, put the matches back in the drawer for now - starting a fire under these dry conditions is not only dangerous, it's illegal.

One win away

THUMBS UP: The Minnesota Lynx are one win away from giving Minnesota its first professional championship in a whopping 20 years. The WNBA doesn't get much national exposure, but who cares, the Lynx are fun to watch and we should respect the way they play and embrace this team.